Summer continues to be hotter than normal, though after the two upcoming steamy days ahead things should return to about average for several days. Parts of our garden have turned into instant jungle yet again. We will try to fix that later today. And Deb has been venturing into the basement over the past week in an effort to get rid of years of junk In a couple of weeks it should look quite different down there!
In medical news I have seen a doctor about my foot and had x-rays done. Now we wait to hear whether or not there are broken bones (there are). Then they will tell me to ice the foot and stay off of it as much as possible (I am). Life goes on, and my limp is becoming quite a part of me.
We have contracted for a new back deck. Work on that project should commence late next week, around the time of full moon. Not sure how long it will take, but it's a pretty small deck, so perhaps a week or so. It will be a bit smaller than the old one, and made of composite plastic instead of wood. It is supposed to last a lifetime and will bring up the house value, too. Some inside projects are just around the corner, too. Terribly exciting times around here.
In film news, Deb's recent poster for her newest film just won an award for best poster! Just a Peek has also been entered in several film competitions, mostly European. Check Deb's website (left margin here) or her Imdb page for the latest.
In film watching news I have two to report. Most recently was another Argentinian noir from the 50s. If I Should Die Before I Wake is from 1952 and is based on a story by Cornell Woolrich. It's a hard hitting little number about a serial killer of little schoolgirls. The young male friend of the first girl killed is wracked with terror, as he has promised the girl not to tell anyone that she has been taking candy from a man. When she turns up dead he nearly goes crazy. Two years later a similar thing happens to another young female friend of his. He acts on his own to try and save her, since the adults in his life (parents and teachers) won't even listen to what he wants to say. A well done film, with a very bizarre fairy tale dream-like opening scene. Recommended.
Before that came The Truman Show, a film starring Jim Carrey that is not only watchable, but enjoyable too. Directed by Peter Weir and from 1998, it chronicles the televised life of Truman Burbank, albeit unbeknownst to him. As much SF as comedy-thriller, parts of it reminded me of The Prisoner TV series. Raised in an idyllic small town, Truman works as an insurance salesman. Since his birth (shown live on TV) all aspects of his life have been televised non-stop 24 hours a day 7 days a week. By all appearances it's been a pretty boring show up until now. When happily married Truman meets another woman who tries to warn him of what is going on the film gradually picks up steam. It seems everyone, even his best friend, is in on the scheme. A fun film, with many laugh out loud parts. Carrey's restrained performance is a revelation, and some of his fans hated him in this role. Recommended.
A recent sale on Steam has seen my train sim world family grow a lot. I now have 14 different train systems to run, including two London Overground routes and the full Bakerloo tube line! Here are a few pics from some of my recent journeys.
This is a new line running from Mainz to Koblenz along the Rhine. I am driving a tourist train on a Rhine castle tour in winter.
Mapman Mike
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